Inhuman Rampage

On a cold winter morning, in the time before the light, England's power metal brain trust unleashed their transfixing third full-length. Boasting uncanny guitar virtuosity and video game-inspired keyboards alongside potent vocals so huge only an arena could contain them, DragonForce's technical ability outshines the parodic stereotypes associated with their genre, despite some gratuitous moments. With songs like "Operation Ground and Pound" and Guitar Hero favorite "Through the Fire and Flames," uplifting lyrics of unity in battle and power metal's key fantasy elements are in full, uh, force.